The report compiled in conjunction with IBM’s institute for business value says that Scandinavia emerged as the region to beat early adopters of information and communications technology such as the US, Australia and Canada.
E-readiness is a measure of a countries e-business environment. Each country is tested on a serious of factors based on how it would react to internet based opportunities. Broadband penetration was a new category added to this year’s ranking.
To most, the US would be an obvious choice for a top five spot but it slid from joint third place last year to sixth place. Singapore, on the other hand, made the greatest leap forward, up five places to number seven. Like its neighbours, Hong Kong and South Korea, Singapore is a world leader in broadband rollout and benefits from strong government-industry cooperation says the report.
Many of the countries waiting EU membership ranked within the top 40 and the Economist thinks that these countries will make quick advances in e-readiness over the coming years and only stand to gain from entering the EU.
Peter Korsten, IBM director said: “The e-readiness rankings provide valueable insight into how governments can influence the rate and nature of adoption of technology and applications. Equally, they provide business leaders with information that can help guide decisions on where to invest to grow their companies.”
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